Research Assistant ProfessorInfectious Diseases Epidemiology

Research

My primary research interest is in the epidemiology of infectious animal diseases, especially focused on Foreign and Emerging Animal Diseases. This research includes the characterization of the disease in affected territories (disease measures’ and risk factor studies), risk assessment and spatial analysis for the implementation of better preventive, surveillance and control measures. I am also interested in new surveillance methodologies including risk-based and syndromic surveillance approaches.

During my PhD research in the OIE reference laboratory for African swine fever (ASF) I was involved ASF animal experiments, laboratory diagnostics, field work and technology transfer in affected territories (Russia, Sardinia and Africa). These experiences gave me an extensive knowledge about this complex disease, its epidemiology, diagnostics and transmission mechanisms that would be applicable for other animal diseases.

This transversal approach (involving field, laboratory and epidemiological studies) has an international projection, including also the transference of capabilities for better preventing and controlling FAD in affected and free scenarios.